She looked at me, hugged me, and spoke. “Ara, from today on, you have so many responsibilities on your plate. And I know for a fact that you will never disappoint us. The estate got their queen after so many years. They have so many expectations of you. After the previous queen’s demise, there was no one to take care of things that needed to be taken care of. I try my level best to do so, and so do Senior Sire and Azar, but being a man, they never understand a few things and rituals. But I believe you will follow all and make sure to make others follow too. The King and queen are just like father and Mother for the estate people; they follow them like kids follow their parents. Always give them the right path.” She said she was caressing my hair.
I was looking down and listening like an obedient student.
“We Royals have some rituals after marriage, and I believe you know them already.” I nod when I hear this.
She held my face and kissed my temple and said, “follow them and make then follow too. She says, looking towards sire.
I looked at Azar, and he was looking like a lost child with knitted eyebrows.
I nod in agreement.
She looked at me lovingly and said, Now sleep; you must be tired. Tomorrow we will go to the hospital to meet the elder sire. He must be waiting for you desperately.
I nod again.
“Prisha showed my queen her room.” She again looked at me, smiled, and left.
Before I said anything to Azar, James came and looked towards Sire. He nodded towards him, and James left.
God, what is all the eyeball talk about?
He looks at me. “I will be back sometime.” I nod.
We finally reached the room. The room is beautiful. The off-white and blue combination match perfectly.
I sat on the bed and finally took a deep breath. God, now I can feel how tired I am.
“My Queen, can I help you with something?” Prisha asked.
I thought for a minute and said yes if you can ask someone to get my stuff, as I need to take a shower and change.
“My Queen, your stuff has been shifted here long ago and arranged in your closet as well.”
The surprise was an understatement, but I loved it. “Oh, Prisha, you are a lifesaver, trust me.”
She smiled and said, “That’s my job to take care of you.”
“Still, thank you so much; you are so thoughtful,” I said and smiled.
“Let me remove this heavy jewellery.” I put my leg on the bed to take out my anklet. It was irritating me; it’s so heavy.
“Let me help you,” said Prisha, who came to me and started helping me.
I hear the footsteps and look up to a Sire coming inside. He looked at us and spoke.
“Privacy”
Hearing this, Prisha stood up, nodded towards him, and left the room, closing the door behind him.
He came and touched my feet to help me, and I instantly pulled my leg back and said, “I told you, sire, don’t touch my feet.”
“And I also told you, this all is mine, and I can do whatever I wish to,” he said, taking my foot towards him.
He removed both anklets and put them on my bed, and I put down my feet and looked towards my hand.
He took my hand, and in one shift, I was again on his lap. I hold his shoulder to support him, and I look toward him.
“You are looking alluring today.” And kiss my cheeks. And guess what? Yup, I blushed hard.
“You also are not looking bad yourself, sire.” I tease him a little.
“Thank you, My Queen, for your keen observation.” He shot back.
“So now tell me what Aunt Nina was talking about?” My face was pale when I heard this.
I started playing with his brochure, thinking of an idea of how to explain to him, “Hmm, sire, actually ahmmm.” I don’t know how to say this; God, this is so embarrassing.
“I am listening,” he said, narrowing his eyes.
“Ahmm, actually, as per the ritual, we… I mean you and me… I mean, we should.” God, what am I saying?
I took a deep breath and said, “Sire, actually, as per our ritual, we need to go to the temple to take blessing.”
“So, what’s the problem with that? We will go once we reach the estate.”
He stated a matter of fact, and I got it; he has no idea what I am talking about.
“Well, of course we will, but ahmm, we, I mean.” I huff in irritation.
“My Queen, you know you can speak to me about anything and everything, so don’t hesitate to say.”
He gives me some strength. I took a deep breath and spoke.
“Wecantsleeptoagthertillwevisittemple,” finally I said it.
I looked up to sire his expression, and it was blank. Did he even hear what I said?
“Now speak again in human language.”
“I spoke in human language only,” I said, pouting my lips.
“Repeat.” Now I know he is getting impatient.
“I cleared my throat and said, actually, as per the rituals, we can’t start our life as husband and wife till we pay our visit to the temple.” I said it extremely low, but I know he can hear it.
I looked up and noticed his most dangerous expression. I gulped down my saliva.
“What rubbish is this?” I don’t believe in such rituals. I already understand for two days. Did all Indian drama on the name of wedding & rituals and what not, but not anymore?” He lashes out nonstop.
Well, I was expecting this.
“And hold on, you knew this? And you did not feel it was important to tell me?”
Now he is furious more than before. Do something Ara fast before this volcano erupts.
I held his face and said, “First, calm down and listen to me. I knew this, but I also got to know this in the morning when I went to meet Mom after getting ready for last-minute rituals, and after that, we did not get time to talk about this. Or do you think I would not tell this to you?” I ask him…